US: We will not support a ceasefire resolution in Gaza; it only sows the seeds for the next war

Before the vote on Friday in the United Nations Security Council regarding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire resolution in the Israel-Hamas war, the United States - holding veto power - informed the 15-member body that it would not support such a resolution. Robert Wood, the US Special Political Affairs Representative at the UN, told the council, which convened to hear a report from Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, that 'this only sows the seeds for the next war, as Hamas has no desire for lasting peace.' The Security Council's vote on a resolution drafted by the United Arab Emirates was postponed for several hours following a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and a senior diplomat from the Palestinian Authority. Mohammed Abu Shihab, the UAE's deputy ambassador to the UN, told the council, 'Today this council will vote and will have the opportunity to respond to the deafening calls around the world to end this violence.' Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian Foreign Minister, told reporters in Washington that if the Security Council does not approve the resolution, 'it gives Israel a license to continue the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza.' The draft resolution, in addition to calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, states that the civilian population of Palestinians and Israelis must be protected and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. The United States has repeatedly pressured the council to condemn Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Wood stated that the council's inaction in condemning Hamas is a 'serious moral failure.' For the resolution to pass, it needs at least 9 votes in favor and no vetoes from the permanent members of the council. Guterres said on Friday, 'I urge the council to spare no effort in pressing for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the protection of civilians, and for the immediate delivery of aid.' Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council on Friday that the one-week ceasefire was violated by Hamas. Erdan stated, 'The irony is that regional stability and security for both Israelis and Gazans can only be achieved through the destruction of Hamas, not even a minute before that. Therefore, the real way to ensure peace is only through supporting Israel's campaign and absolutely not by calling for a ceasefire.' Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in their October 7 attacks on Israel and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. The United States, the UK, the European Union, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The UN Secretary-General called for Security Council action to stop the war in Gaza. Netanyahu warned that if Hezbollah takes comprehensive action, Beirut will become another Gaza. The US ambassador to the UN did not comment on 'Guterres's call for a ceasefire' in the Israel-Hamas war. The US is seeking to provide more support for commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Borrell: The Security Council must act to prevent 'complete humanitarian collapse' in Gaza. The UN Secretary-General referred the Gaza issue to the Security Council; Israel: Guterres is dangerous for global peace. Israeli operations in southern Gaza; Israeli tanks entered eastern Khan Younis. Israel warned Khan Younis residents: Leave the area immediately.